. >>> politics and policy, mitt romney sharpens his foreign policy attacks as the president prepares to step on to the world stage. >>> celestial stunner. an awesome display of the northern lights. >>> talk about the find of a lifetime an art work found at a thrift store fetches tens of thousands at auction. good morning. i'm lynn berry. this is "first look" on nbc. >>> and we are going to begin with foreign affairs. president obama will take a brief diplomatic detour from his campaign's front lines to address the simmering crises in iran, syria, and the broader muslim world before the united nations general assembly. nbc's tracie potts joins us from washington with details. good morning. >> reporter: this is a big deal. not only for the president explaining where the world stands but for him politically. >> but first things first -- we've got an election. >> reporter: on "the view" before speaking to the united nations general assembly. aides say he'll focus on the recent unrest and death of ambassador christopher stevens. >> these are not human bumps in the road. >> either one or a